The '77 team was my all-time favorite; they were a big blue machine. Their only power came from Cowens, whom Whitey had instructed before the season to "go for the pump." The blue boys won 16 straight, lost one, then ran off 8 straight more. Not even the September flood could slow them down or "dampen" (sorry) my enthrallment. The postseason brought an enormous heartache. I have only recently gotten over my hatred of the Yanx.
I've never, and will never, forgive the Yankees for making Freddie Patek cry. As a 5 year old, he was my hero and seeing him so upset was too much to bear.
Had it not been for just batter or a pitch here and there and a guy by the name of Chtis Chambliss, and Whitey's team could have had a couple of championship teams just
I was born in '79, so I never got to see Herzog in KC. But even though I only really knew him as a Cardinal, I had tremendous respect for him and loved his style of play. The earliest Royals teams I remember were still built in the mold of Whiteyball and were so much fun to watch.
Whitey was one of a kind. I remember a giant black and white photo of him at the old Dixon’s Chili in Grandview, Missouri. The picture showed Whitey gloving a potential home run before tumbling into short right field stands at old Yankee Stadium. Many years after the catch, I remember encountering Whitey and asking him about the picture. He immediately remembered the catch and told me he still lived with the pain of his effort. He was a classic.
As a kid growing up and rooting for the old KC A’s, I cannot remember a better lineage of future managers who played and became some of the best managers in baseball after they retired.
When I heard the news of his passing it felt like a punch to the gut.
The '77 team was my all-time favorite; they were a big blue machine. Their only power came from Cowens, whom Whitey had instructed before the season to "go for the pump." The blue boys won 16 straight, lost one, then ran off 8 straight more. Not even the September flood could slow them down or "dampen" (sorry) my enthrallment. The postseason brought an enormous heartache. I have only recently gotten over my hatred of the Yanx.
I've never, and will never, forgive the Yankees for making Freddie Patek cry. As a 5 year old, he was my hero and seeing him so upset was too much to bear.
Those were fun times that I also remember fondly (except for, of course, the ALCS).
Had it not been for just batter or a pitch here and there and a guy by the name of Chtis Chambliss, and Whitey's team could have had a couple of championship teams just
as easy as not. He was quite the manager!!!@
I was born in '79, so I never got to see Herzog in KC. But even though I only really knew him as a Cardinal, I had tremendous respect for him and loved his style of play. The earliest Royals teams I remember were still built in the mold of Whiteyball and were so much fun to watch.
Wonderful writing, as usual. May Whitey rest in peace and may memories of him make us all smile and remember the good old days.
Whitey was one of a kind. I remember a giant black and white photo of him at the old Dixon’s Chili in Grandview, Missouri. The picture showed Whitey gloving a potential home run before tumbling into short right field stands at old Yankee Stadium. Many years after the catch, I remember encountering Whitey and asking him about the picture. He immediately remembered the catch and told me he still lived with the pain of his effort. He was a classic.
As a kid growing up and rooting for the old KC A’s, I cannot remember a better lineage of future managers who played and became some of the best managers in baseball after they retired.
Whitey Herzog
Tommy Lasorda
Hank Bauer
Tony LaRussa
Dick Howser
Billy Martin
Dick Williams
Rene Lachemann
Also don’t forget about:
Ken Harrelson, broadcaster
Haywood Sullivan, GM Red Sox
Charlie Lau, greatest mentor
Whitey, one of my favorite players and managers.